The Malaprabha Cooperative Sugar Factory located right on the NH-4 at M.K.Hubli has been releasing effluents from the factory with impunity into the open space adjacent the highway. This is a huge health hazard to the residents of the neighbouring villages, as the water contains sulphur and its compounds. In fact the effluent water has stagnated on the service roads opposite the factory preventing the use of the service roads by commuters. The problem is aggravated by the poor quality of construction of the NH-4 which was recently upgraded, without providing for proper drainage. Will the authorities - especially pollution control board, which puts stringent conditions on individual residents, look into the matter soon.